The National Irrigation Authority through the Tana irrigation scheme is targeting 500 acres of land for cotton to support the government’s manufacturing pillar of the big four agenda.
The scheme has so far done 100 acres of land. BT cotton is resistant to African bollworm and has higher yields.
The irrigation scheme manager James Kirimi speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) said Tana River cotton farmers’ organizations have a contract with Makueni ginnery for purchase of their cotton.
“The contract with Makueni Ginnery guarantees farmers the market. Improvement in incomes will enable the farmers to transform their lives,’’ said Kirimi.
1600- Tonnes of Bt cotton were harvested between August last year and February 2021.
The scheme manager hailed the partnership with Tana River County Government for market support, supply of fertilizers and chemicals for pest control.
Tana river irrigation scheme has 2200 acres of land for commercial maize under irrigation. The scheme targets 4000 acres in subsequent phases.
